Eyeing Summer Events, Ohio Officials Urge Vaccines

Health officials tracking measles and mumps outbreaks in Ohio are urging residents to stay up-to-date on immunizations to prevent illnesses from spreading.

The Department of Health says the spread of such diseases can accelerate when people gather in large groups, including at picnics, camps, fairs and other common warm-weather activities. Health agencies have confirmed 321 mumps cases in central Ohio, with Madison County now added to the cluster. The cases in Delaware, Franklin and Madison counties total about three-quarters of reported cases nationwide and 191 are linked to Ohio State University. A measles outbreak continues being tracked a bit further to the northeast in a six-county area. Twenty-nine of the 42 confirmed cases are in Knox County. Officials say that outbreak began with unvaccinated travelers who visited the Philippines, which has experienced a measles epidemic.